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Four Things You Didn’t Know About the Tooth Fairy

Aug 22, 2018

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day -- a day to encourage kids to participate in their dental health. As a company who cares about the dental needs of our community, HYDRALIEF™ is thrilled to participate in a national day dedicated to bringing awareness to children’s dental care. It’s never too early to start caring about your dental health.

The tooth fairy has been a long-standing tradition for many American families. As the legend goes, if a child loses a tooth, he can hide it under his pillow and in middle of the night, the tooth fairy will visit him, take the tooth and leave money or a gift in its place. A reported 84 percent of American households with children receive regular visits from the tooth fairy.

You’ve probably encountered the tooth fairy with your own children or when you were a child, but how much do you actually know about her? Where did she come from? Today is a great opportunity to learn more about this beloved, money-giving fairy.

1. She’s not as old as you think she is.

Compared to other mythical figures like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy shows up much more recently in history. The first record of her in written history is found in a short children’s book published in 1927, written by a woman named Esther Watkins Arnold. But in oral history, she can be traced to the turn of the 20th century.

2. She travels all over the world.

The tooth fairy does not only visit children in the U.S. According to the Delta Dental Survey, she also travels to Japan, Ireland, Spain, England and other countries. Countries and cultures that don’t adhere to the tooth fairy tradition have other rituals to celebrate the momentous occasion of losing baby teeth.

3. She got stingy in 2017.

For several years, the tooth fairy has increased how much money she gives for a tooth. However, in 2017 she held back on her spending. The average amount given per tooth in the last year was $4.13, compared to an average of $4.66 she gave in 2016.

4. She doesn’t always give money.

The Delta Dental Survey also reports that while 95 percent of children do receive money from the tooth fairy, 31 percent of kids also get a toothbrush as a gift. (We like that.)

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! Celebrate by sharing a toothbrush with the one you love, or visit the American Dental Association’s website for kids at MouthHealthy.org, where you can find tips and activities to help kids learn the importance of taking care of their teeth, and their health.